I need help with drop tuning strings!

[Febs]

The general consensus, IME, is capo on bass is effin' stupid.

Why? You're suggesting spending hundreds of dollars on another bass and carrying multiple basses to every rehearsal and gig, all just to change tuning by a whole step across the board. I'm suggesting using a $15 device that you can fit in the pocket of your case and which is designed specifically for that purpose. Which approach is "effin' stupid"?

 

[BROKEN OHMS]

I thought the capo idea was good.

 

[DirtyDeRock]

Why? You're suggesting spending hundreds of dollars on another bass and carrying multiple basses to every rehearsal and gig, all just to change tuning by a whole step across the board. I'm suggesting using a $15 device that you can fit in the pocket of your case and which is designed specifically for that purpose. Which approach is "effin' stupid"?

I said in my experience, not my opinion. I said it would solve the problem as well but it wouldn't be my personal first choice. The outside viewpoint is that it's "effin' stupid." Read between the lines man, I think my word choice was clear enough to establish what my
opinion is on the matter.

It's not a horrible idea, my anecdote was in regards to my hating a capo for the fact my old singer switched capo position every song.

 

[DirtyDeRock]

I thought the capo idea was good.

It's an unusual one, but like I said, it would solve the problem. Honestly, I could give a poop what people think of my setup, whether it's my amp, pedals, bass or clothes. If you're comfortable playing a Daisy Rock Guitar in a Doom Metal band, I say go for it.

 

[FunkMetalBass]

I actually quite like the capo idea too. Given that you really only have two different tunings, and they're both fourths tunings, I'd say get the .166 set for a nice, tight low G# string (it's what I use for my G# tuning) and then get a capo.

The only drawbacks I see are learning to move the patterns up frets for the capo and that the capo might not fit over all 5 strings, but if the E-string (tuned to C# or D# or whatever) is the only often-pedaled string, then fretting the low B (tuned to G# or A# or whatever) wont pose an issue.

 

[Febs]

I actually quite like the capo idea too. Given that you really only have two different tunings, and they're both fourths tunings, I'd say get the .166 set for a nice, tight low G# string (it's what I use for my G# tuning) and then get a capo.

Unless I'm misunderstanding the original post, I don't think he would need a low G#. He could keep the 5-string tuned to standard BEADG. A capo on the second fret would give him C# F# B E A (one of the tunings he said he's currently using, plus a high A). A capo on the third fret would give him D# G# C# F# B.

 

[FunkMetalBass]

Unless I'm misunderstanding the original post, I don't think he would need a low G#. He could keep the 5-string tuned to standard BEADG. A capo on the second fret would give him C# F# B E A (one of the tunings he said he's currently using, plus a high A). A capo on the third fret would give him D# G# C# F# B.

He could. I was imagining he'd still want a string below the guitarists, though.

 

[RBX4]

I'd get a mess of squiers, screw it! Lol

 

[lowendfriend]

One of the things I like about a 5-string is avoiding open string situations. Why would I use a capo to create one?

Clearly we are dealing with one of the fundamental belief differences between 4 stringers and 5 stringers.

You get a 5 string so you can use standard form fingering in many more songs/keys. It's like using barred chords in guitar (ok, I admit it...I played rhythm guitar before I took up bass in 1967) so you don't need the darned capo.

I appreciate the OP's question because it really strikes to the root of why you use a 5 string in the first place. The OP seems to be missing the freedom that a fiver offers!

 

[ixlramp]

Your best bet is to get a set that is at optimal tension for ADGCF, that way either tuning (being only a half step in either direction) wont vary more than about 5 lbs from ADGCF.

Yes, this. A .145 for the lowest string G#/A# will be loose but might JUST work, a 35" scale will help. You could build a set from singles perhaps something like 145 110 90 70 50 [Invalid or Expired Link Removed] . Even better a balanced tension set from Circle K Strings Link Removed since they have a huge range of sets for any amount of detuning. I suggest the .150 or .158 set

 

[FunkMetalBass]

One of the things I like about a 5-string is avoiding open string situations. Why would I use a capo to create one?

Clearly we are dealing with one of the fundamental belief differences between 4 stringers and 5 stringers.

You get a 5 string so you can use standard form fingering in many more songs/keys. It's like using barred chords in guitar (ok, I admit it...I played rhythm guitar before I took up bass in 1967) so you don't need the darned capo.

I appreciate the OP's question because it really strikes to the root of why you use a 5 string in the first place. The OP seems to be missing the freedom that a fiver offers!

You're making an assumption that OP's tuning somehow means that he will completely abandon the fifth string.

Also, there is nothing fundamental about the belief that more strings eliminates the need or desire for odd tunings - that's just some weird attitude that some 5+ string bassists have for seemingly no reason. There are tonal and ergonomic reasons for odd tunings as a bassist, regardless of string count. I'd argue that OP is missing out on everything his instrument can offer by NOT exploring them.

 

[Febs]

One of the things I like about a 5-string is avoiding open string situations. Why would I use a capo to create one?

Well, you probably wouldn't, and frankly, I probably wouldn't either in the styles of music that I play, but the original post suggests to me that the OP is playing a style that relies heavily on the use of open strings, and my suggestion was made with that in mind.

Clearly we are dealing with one of the fundamental belief differences between 4 stringers and 5 stringers.

I think that it has less to do with the difference between 4 stringers and 5 stringers (whatever that may be) and more to do with the difference between people who play riff-based music that relies heavily on the use of open strings, and those who don't.

 

[bswen7]

Thanks for all the input so far. I do agree that a good approach may be to just play in standard otherwise why the he'll else did I buy a five string if all I'm doing is tuning the bottom four strings to the guitar. I have transposed the songs recently to standard and a few are more difficult to play but surprisingly a few others are easier when using the fifth string as well.

A couple problems arise by doing the standard approach though. The first is if the guitarists decide to change the tuning on a song after it's already written (which has happened already). I would need to retranspose the song.. Not really a big deal. The big issue is when we play live what happens if they have to switch guitars (and tunings) on the fly due to a broken guitar, strings, or some other malfunction. I would have to play the song on the spot in a different key that I'm not used and I don't know if I could pull that off.... Which is why I posted the original question of if i could just tune to the guitars without damaging the neck with lots of constant tuning. The fact of the matter is that I don't know what the best course of action is, although I would rather play my five string the way its supposed to be played, or just buy four strings and be done with it.

 

[ixlramp]

To get perspective on the tension change ... string physics says that detuning by 2 semitones drops the tension down to 79% of it's original value. Even if you leave the B string at B the total change in tension is still large: down to 83%. The neck will change curvature slightly, affecting action: lower action with looser strings or higher action with tighter strings. The neck may be settling into a new shape each time you retune between songs, this could cause slight tuning drift.

 

[carlthegroover]

I would see no problem in using a capo. Cheap, moveable and concealable, you don't need to retune at all nor setup the bass, you can remove it whenever you want to get the standard tuning (or whatever open string tuning you have)...

And I've heard that the 12-string guitar capos are good enough for five-string basses.